Clinical trials for Breast Cancer
Explore how clinical trials are helping to advance treatment for Breast Cancer and how to find one that fits your needs.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and can also affect men. It occurs when abnormal cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor.
While Breast Cancer is often detected early through screening, it can also spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body if left untreated.
Advances in early detection and treatment have significantly improved outcomes in recent years.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials, also known as clinical studies or medical studies, are research investigations involving people. They are designed to evaluate new treatments, drugs, medical procedures, or interventions to determine whether they are safe, effective, and better than existing options.
Clinical trial studies play a key role in the development of new cancer therapies, offering patients access to cutting-edge treatments that are not yet widely available. Participation in a clinical trial often means contributing to progress in medicine while potentially gaining early access to innovative care.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Early signs of Breast Cancer may vary, and not all symptoms are easily noticeable. Common symptoms include:
A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
Changes in breast size, shape, or appearance
Changes in breast size, shape, or appearance
Skin dimpling or puckering
Nipple discharge or inversion
Redness, swelling, or pain in the breast
Some people may not experience symptoms at all, which is why routine screening is so important.
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer diagnosis typically begins with a clinical breast exam followed by imaging tests, such as a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI. If abnormalities are found, a biopsy is performed to confirm the presence of cancer cells. Additional tests, including hormone receptor and HER2 status, help determine the cancer subtype, which guides treatment decisions.
Staging investigations may include CT scans, bone scans, or PET scans to assess whether the cancer has spread. Accurate diagnosis and staging are crucial to selecting the most effective treatment plan.
Types of Breast Cancer
There are several types and subtypes of Breast Cancer, each with different characteristics and treatment approaches:
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): The most common form, starting in the milk ducts and spreading into nearby tissue
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): Starts in the milk-producing glands
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): A non-invasive early form
Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): Lacks hormone and HER2 receptors, often more aggressive
HER2-positive Breast Cancer: High levels of HER2 protein, which may respond to targeted drugs
Hormone receptor-positive Breast Cancer: Driven by estrogen and/or progesterone hormones
Understanding the specific type of Breast Cancer is essential for choosing the most effective treatment and trial options.
Treatment for Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer treatment is often tailored based on the subtype, stage, and patient preferences. Common treatment approaches include:
Surgery: Lumpectomy or mastectomy to remove the tumor
Radiotherapy: To destroy any remaining cancer cells post-surgery
Chemotherapy: Often used before or after surgery to reduce recurrence
Hormone therapy: For hormone receptor-positive Breast Cancer
Targeted therapy: Such as trastuzumab for HER2-positive cancer
Immunotherapy: Increasingly used in some subtypes, such as triple-negative Breast Cancer
Treatment is usually delivered by a multidisciplinary team and may involve combinations of therapies over several months.
Clinical trials for Breast Cancer
Clinical trials for Breast Cancer are essential for developing new treatments and improving survival rates. These studies test innovative therapies, including targeted drugs, immunotherapy, vaccines, and novel drug combinations. Trials may focus on early-stage disease, advanced or metastatic cancer, or specific subtypes like triple-negative or HER2-positive.
Participating in a clinical trial can offer access to promising treatments before they become widely available. Trials also provide a way for patients to contribute to medical research and potentially benefit from new options that could improve outcomes.
CancerBot helps patients easily find Breast Cancer clinical trials tailored to their diagnosis, treatment history, and location. Our AI-powered platform removes the complexity and delivers matches in clear, understandable language—so you can explore every available option with confidence.
How CancerBot finds the right trials for you
CancerBot uses AI to match patients with clinical trials that fit their unique cancer profile. Unlike traditional search platforms that require medical knowledge, CancerBot asks a few simple questions about your condition and treatment history, then analyzes thousands of trial listings to find the most relevant options.
After you answer a few questions about your disease we present you with a list of eligible trials that you meet the criteria for. We also show you a list of potential trials that you might be eligible for with a bit more information from you. If you want to participate in a trial of interest, just click on participate when viewing the trial.
Whether you're newly diagnosed or exploring new options after treatment, CancerBot makes it easier to participate in clinical trials and explore all available care paths.
